Former Brazilian footballer Ronaldo and Russian UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov will be among the key figures taking part in the World Sports Summit in Dubai this month.
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, a member of the Bahraini royal family, commander of Bahrain's Royal Guard and head of the country's Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, Nasser Al Khelaifi, president of Paris Saint-Germain football club, and boxer Manny Pacquiao will be the main speakers at the summit held on December 29 and 30.
The World Sports Summit organised by the Dubai Sports Council will be held at Madinat Jumeirah.
Khalfan Belhoul, vice chairman of the sports council, said the summit will feature 70 key speakers representing various sporting bodies, teams and federations to discuss the future of the industry in the context of economic, legislative, regulatory and social frameworks.
“We are expecting to have 1,500 attendees,” Mr Belhoul said at a press conference in Dubai on Wednesday. “It will be the largest sports gathering in the world.”
The leading sports stars, experts and decision-makers will speak across 20 panel discussion sessions.
“Dubai is an attraction hub for everybody,” Mr Belhoul added. "With the Dubai magic, especially in the December months, legends and athletes come with their families to enjoy their holiday.
"They will also come and have conversations with like-minded people in the summit. About 90 per cent of the athletes come to spend their holiday in the emirate.”
The council did not reveal all the speakers but did announce 10 others, including former Italian footballer Paolo Maldini, former American football running back Reggie Bush, Tunisian tennis player Ons Jabeur and Dr Ahmed Al Falasi, Minister of Sport.
Eisa Sharif, director of sports events at the council, said the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Sports Award will feature as a key part of the summit, in which “17 categories will be awarded to the athletes and legends of sport”.
“We have a strong foundation and very strong leadership to continue giving us the support and build a long-lasting legacy,” Mr Sharif said.
The award's new name reflects its growing global role in advancing the industry and honouring champions across a wide range of disciplines.
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
Third Test
Result: India won by 203 runs
Series: England lead five-match series 2-1
Karwaan
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
Director: Akarsh Khurana
Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar
Rating: 4/5
Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
